QUEER HULK SMASH

[rm]

I just unsubscribed from the local HP mailing list, after being a member since 2007 and having professional reasons for maintaining my involvement (also, yo, I like Harry Potter!), because I was mocked and insulted after posting a question about an event (not hosted by the group, I don't think, but by the NYDA (an HPA chapter, I believe) that stated for a fashion show about "celebrating all types of beauty" what they meant by "you must cosplay as your own gender" in their model call and who was going to be deciding gender identity for said purposes.

Predictably, several people conflated sex and gender and were then insulting and mocking.

Considering I've WRITTEN AN ACADEMIC PAPER, that I have delivered at both FAN AND ACADEMIC CONFERENCES about how Snape is a queered character who represents female heroism in the series, I could just spit I'm so mad.

Fucking fucking fucking fuck.

*ANGRY*

I'm gonna go watch that video of that rat climbing on that dude on the subway until I feel better.

ETA: Head of mailing list is being super cool to me in trying to handle issue. Thumbs up! I'm impressed.

Meanwhile, I thought I unsubscribed but apparently didn't! Now I'm one of those people on the Internet who can't figure out how to get off a mailing list! Ugh!

More rat video. Yes.

Comments

[gina-r-snape.livejournal.com]

As you know, I fired off my own email of outrage to the group. I have found the same few people to be consistently offrnsive. Last time there was a run in about Emma's haircut and a few of the offending parties had the audacity to include me in a PM complaining that you only post to complain.

This is why I made a point of saying don't assume; and also because I have found the HP fandom such an incredible queer space and made good friends because I've found likemindedness. Jonathan is sensitive to this and it is unfortunate we have a few rotten apples, if you will. Your outrage is justified, but don't take those few as a sign that the whole fandom is transphobic.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Jonathan has been EXTREMELY cool about all of this. Unfortunately, this disclosure that there is ongoing back-channel negativity about me because I want to be treated like a person as opposed to an eyesore, further underscores my reluctance to rejoin the list. (I think I'm still subscribed but not receiving messages?)

Anyway, I may actually drop you a line later, as I heard back from the people running the event and the response was -- well intentioned, complex and kinda faily, and this has all hit a little closer to home than I anticipated (it's been a long hard week thanks to the intersection of what the news has been like and how much news I watch for my work) and I may need a gut check from someone who isn't shaking with rage.

[gina-r-snape.livejournal.com]

Please do. I am too preoccupied with the professional conference I'm attending to be shaken with rage. But that does not mean it's unimportant to me. I would like to hear what has been said, and I would also like reiterate that you are decidedly NOT alone on the list or in the group.

I'm actually back at my hotel for the night, and you have my number if you want to chat. I'm sorry if what I said about the Emma haircut thing upset you, but I thought you ought to know and that I have your back.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Nope, it's cool. I like knowing in generalized ways. I'm sorta of trying to chill tonight and do some research as I have two critical March 1 deadlines for articles, but I'll drop you a line at some point over the weekend when I'm back in the dealing with this BS zone.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

I am glad Jonathan is being cool about this, and I wish I was on the list to add my 2 cents to the conflagration. Not sure what event this is but I can assure you that the fashion show being planned for Aeternitas, hosted by Us as The Malfoys of course, will have no such limitation, and we'd love to have you participate if you are attending Aeternitas.